Archive for the tag - obese

I’m Obese And Want to Lose Weight. Where Do I Start?

July 17, 2014 By

In the last 7 years, I’ve gained 160lbs. Though I was athletic my entire life, I recently hit 320lbs and I’ve decided that it’s time to do something. Right now, the only exercise that I get is walking from the couch to the refrigerator during commercial breaks. My diet is also pretty fatty.

I don’t even know where to start. Do I exercise? Do I eat better? Both?

From,
Jordan

0601_MGMT_obese_630x420Hey Jordan,

The first step is always the hardest - and you’re well on you way to taking it. Congratulations on your resolve. By creating a healthier lifestyle, you’ll improve the quality of your own life and have so much more to give the people around you.

So which comes first? Exercise? Or diet? The truth is, both. By combining a healthier diet with exercise, you’ll decrease the calories going into your body and increase the calories going out. This creates a calorie deficit; the result is weight loss.

Can you get results from just diet? Sure. Can you get results from just exercise? Of course. But creating a healthy life - and getting the best results possible - comes from a combination of moving more and eating smarter.

As I’d advise anyone in your situation, start gradually. We are creatures of habit and stubbornly resistant to change - especially big changes. As such, lean into the improvements. Start with a walk here. And a salad there. Maybe join a gym and start with two or three days per week - and only exercise 30 minutes. Grill up some fresh vegetables. Replace your a soda with water.

You didn’t gain 160 pounds overnight, and you won’t lose it overnight either. And that’s okay. As you slowly introduce new and healthy changes into your life, your body and mind will have time to adapt. That’s a good thing.

So why wait? Start right now. Get off the f*cking internet and take a walk. Everything will still be here with you return.

Love,
Davey

P.S. For help losing weight with a focus on nutrition, exercise and self-love, try Davey Wavey’s Weight Loss Program.

Filed Under: Ask Davey, Weight Loss Tips Tagged With: , ,

Fat Shaming Just Makes You Fatter.

January 13, 2014 By

o-FAT-SHAME-STUDY-facebookThere are many ways to motivate people to lose weight. But shame isn’t one of them.

That is, at least, according to a new study about weight stigma from a researcher at UC Santa Barbara. According to the findings, the media’s characterization of overweight people as lazy, weak-minded and self-indulgent may actually be contributing to the problem rather than helping to solve it.

For the experiment, women of various weights, shapes and sizes were divided into two groups. One group of women read a mock article titled “Quit Smoking Or Lose Your Job.” The second group read a mock article titled “Lose Weight or Lose Your Job.”

After reading the article, the women in both groups had to describe what they had just read. Then, each of the women was left in a waiting room for 10 minutes. The waiting room was stocked with a variety of pre-weighted snack foods and candies.

According to the data, the women who read the weight-stigmatizing article ate significantly more food than any other group of women. In a final set of questions, this group also reported feeling significantly less able to control their eating.

In other words, the negative messages that society creates about overweight people aren’t a motivating factor in weight loss. In fact, it seems that they have the opposite effect. It’s also not really a surprise, especially since overeating is a way for some people to feel comfort. Which leads to more weight gain, and then more shame and guilt - and then more overeating as comfort. It’s a vicious cycle.

Instead of shaming ourselves or other people into losing weight, try a diet of inspiration, kindness and love. If you want to make positive changes, let’s start with positive thoughts.

Filed Under: Research Tagged With: , , ,

What Skinny People REALLY Think About Fat People At The Gym.

November 19, 2013 By

skinnyban20f-2-webThis morning, I noticed a woman signing up for a gym membership at the front desk.

While she was very overweight, the first thing I noticed was her body language. She seemed nervous and uncomfortable - as though she felt out of place.

After putting my clothes away in the locker, I saw her again in the cardio room. I introduced myself and gave her a friendly, reassuring smile. After a minute or two of chatting, she told me that this was her first time in a gym - and that she was literally terrified. She said, “Women like me don’t belong in places like this. I feel like everyone is looking at me and judging me.”

The truth is, she does belong in a gym. We all do. Taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle is important for each and every one of us.

As for people judging her, I suspect it’s the contrary. Most gym goers would be quick to recognize her bravery. And they’re probably impressed by her willingness to make a positive change in her life. Rather than a “look at her” mindset, I bet most people would think “good for her” - if they’re going to think anything at all. In reality, most people are too engrossed in their own workout and their own iPod playlist to really give any of it much thought.

I’m sharing this because I get countless emails from unfit, overweight or obese individuals who are too scared or too intimidated to go to the gym. My point is: Don’t be. Don’t be paralyzed by your fear - which, ultimately, is just another excuse preventing you from creating what you really want.

I think you’ll quickly discover that it’s much scarier in your mind than it is in reality.

Filed Under: Inspiration, Weight Loss Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

27 Fast Food Items with 1,000 Calories or More.

February 20, 2013 By

War-on-fast-food-006The thing about calories is that they tend to add up.

We know that a calorie deficit is required for losing weight - which means that you take in fewer calories than you burn. For those of us looking to maintain our current weight, we need to be in a calorie neutral state where we’re consuming the same number of calories that we burn.

Regardless, counting calories means being very mindful of the foods we consume and avoiding the calorie bombs on many fast food menus. Case in point, the below infographic shows 27 different fast food items with more than 1,000 calories - including a nearly 10,000 calorie burger and a 2,140 calorie order of cheese fries.

Are any of your favorites on this list? Any surprises?

Fast-Food-Items-with-1000-Calories-and-More

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , ,

Does Fast Food Make You Fat? [Study]

February 11, 2013 By

ronaldfcdonaldsmallA few weeks ago, I posted about Subway - and how their menu is deceptively unhealthy. Today, I’m kicking up the rhetoric by sharing a fast food study that was published by the science journal The Lancet.

Following 3,000 young adults for a period of 15 years, researchers found that those participants who ate fast food more than twice per week gained an extra 10 pounds of body weight and were twice as likely to be insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for Type II diabetes. In other words, there’s a strong correlation between fast food and both obesity and diabetes.

Of course, this isn’t to say that you can’t make sensible selections at fast food restaurants. Indeed, McDonald’s has apples on the menu. But this is to say that most of the people who eat fast food aren’t opting for apples - and that healthy selections are difficult to find or far and few between.

I don’t share this study because I’m against fast food. I’m not. I share this study because I’m for nourishing food - and most fast food isn’t that. If your health is a priority (and I hope it is - after all, we only get one body), then focus on eating well instead of eating fast.

Eat well. Feel well. Be well.

Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , ,

Should Airlines Charge Overweight Passengers a Fuel Surcharge?

June 26, 2012 By

Are airlines eying overweight passengers to pad their bottom line?

The other day, I flew from San Diego to my home in Rhode Island.

With six weeks-worth of clothing, filming equipment and speedos, my suitcase was admittedly over-packed. It weighed in at 62 pounds - which exceeded United Airlines’ baggage limit by some twelve pounds. The ticketing agent informed me that, because it would take additional fuel to fly my overweight bag to Rhode Island, I was subject to a 0 baggage fee. This on top of the that I paid to check-in my bag.

Yes, I paid a 0 fee because my bag was twelve pounds overweight. Can you see where I’m going with this?

As of 2009, the average American was twenty-three pounds overweight… and counting. Two thirds of Americans are overweight and nearly a third of Americans are considered obese. And if it takes extra fuel to get my overweight bag to my destination, it must be true for overweight passengers, too.

With my overweight baggage experience in mind, I can’t help but wonder if the airlines are eying overweight passengers with the hopes of padding their bottom line. If a Boeing 747-400 can hold 524 passengers, that’s an average of six tons of extra bodyweight. A fuel surcharge would certainly help cover the costs of keeping all that fat aloft.

Perhaps, in the not-so-distant-future, we’ll have mandatory weigh-ins at the ticketing counters - and overweight passengers will have to pay extra money to get their excess bodyweight to their desired destination.

Think it sounds too outlandish? Think again. In 2009, Ireland’s Ryanair considered implementing a “fat tax” for obese passengers after a public vote on its website. The tax was later dropped because of implementation difficulties. Weighing passengers, the airline concluded, would have the adverse effect of slowing down the check-in process too severely.

Of course, I’m not trying to suggest that a fuel surcharge for overweight passengers makes sense; it would be an embarrassing, marginalizing and dehumanizing policy. But I am suggesting that the airlines are ridiculous. Period.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

348lbs And Needing Help.

July 26, 2011 By

Davey,

Just left the doctor’s office. I’m 348lbs, HIV positive and feel like my life is smacking me in the face.

I don’t know how to eat though I can tell you I love food. I downloaded your program, any advise would help. Have to be honest though seems like it might be eaiser to step in front of a bus. My dad was a pastry chef I know what good pastry tastes like and now I’m supposed to eat cardboard? Like I said I need some help.

John

John,

Stepping in front of a bus might be easier - but it doesn’t mean that you don’t have the strength to transform yourself and your life. Becoming stronger and healthier is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity - and should you choose to put energy and effort behind your intention, there is no doubt that you’ll produce real results.

As change first occurs on the inside, I’d invite you to build a stronger relationship with the body you currently have. Much progress can be made through forgiveness and gratitude. Write a letter of apology to your body; ask your body to forgive you for all the times you have neglected or abused it. Express gratitude for all the many important functions your body serves. Through both forgiveness and gratitude you’ll align yourself with real transformative power.

As you re-learn to love your body, both nutrition and exercise become much easier. Making decisions that honor your body feels very natural.

When I approach diet, I make the two following assumptions:

  1. No one wants to be hungry.
  2. No one wants to eat cardboard.

If your diet plan violates either assumption, it’s going to be difficult to maintain. Yes, you’ll have to create a calorie deficit (more calories out than in), but you don’t need to starve or eat distasteful foods. I’d encourage you to eat smarter. Make wiser choices. Discover all the colorful and tasty foods that are both nutritious and delicious. Contrary to popular belief, delicious is not synonymous with unhealthy; there are plenty of healthy choices that will leave you salivating. Lean meats, fresh produce and salads are just a few. And fear not - eating wiser isn’t about eliminating pastry. It’s just about eating less of it. As a general rule, try to eat healthy 80% of the time.

Beyond eating healthier, your body craves movement. And movement helps contribute to the calorie deficit that results in weight loss. It’s great that you’ve purchased my workout programs - but start small. Even doing a very small workout here - or just taking a few walks per week - will have a cumulative effect over time.

Your body’s transformation will be the sum total of little changes done over and over again. Make those little changes in your relationship with your body, in the foods that you eat and in the movement or exercise in which you engage.

You have the strength to create the transformation that you desire - but it’s up to you to muster it.

Love,
Davey

P.S. I want to leave you with a quote by Marianne Williamson that says it all:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Filed Under: Ask Davey, Nutrition, Tips Tagged With: , , ,

Dear Davey: I’m Obese - MOTIVATE ME!

March 6, 2011 By

Dear Davey,

It’s a shame, really! I am a nurse and yet I am obese. I need all the help I can get. I am 5’6″ and 110kg (242 pounds). I am asking for your motivation and advice. I hope for a reply soon.

From,
Rowell

Dear Rowell,

Thanks for reaching out and recognizing that you need some help and support.

First of all, it’s not a shame that you are obese. In fact, shame is the last thing you need right now. Added negativity will do nothing but weigh you down mentally, spiritually and physiologically. In actuality, it’s inspiring and wonderful that you are taking the first step in your transformation.

Losing weight and cultivating a healthier lifestyle is a complex process that is different for everyone. It’s not as easy as eating certain foods and doing certain exercises. If it was, we’d all be walking around with 8% body fat. Releasing weight is a much deeper issue, and it’s requires using a different perspective than the one that gained it.

For some of us, we gain weight as a response to abuse. Some of us are afraid subconsciously to be attractive. Some of us eat to sooth ourselves or deal with stress. Overeating is almost always a symptom of something else, and so it’s important to explore the root causes. If you don’t treat the cause, the weight loss will not be sustainable.

Rowell, you are going to need more help and support than what I am able to offer in a single blog post. I’d recommend reaching out to a professional in your area, and connecting with a local support group - or an online community like Calorie Count.

You also asked about motivation. I could give you a pep talk about the importance of exercise, but truly the best - and most sustainable - motivation comes from within. Imagine how your life would be different at your idea weight. Visualize yourself doing all the things you’ve wanted to do. And think about all the health benefits (as a nurse, you don’t need me to remind you of those) that your new lifestyle will bring.

We only get one body for this human life of ours. Honoring our bodies with healthy choices is really an extension of honoring that life, and so I encourage you to take the initial steps in getting the support you need. And remember, all of us are rooting for you.

Love,
Davey

Filed Under: Weight Loss Tips Tagged With: , , , , ,